How Prince George's first day at preschool compared to his father's

January 06, 2016

Prince William and Kate wanted Prince George's first day at preschool to be a quiet affair and the proud parents' got their wish on Wednesday (Jan. 6) when the little boy toddled into class undetected by the inquisitive public. The peaceful scene outside Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk was in stark contrast to the fanfare which befell Prince William on his first day of school back in September 1985. More than 100 pairs of eyes were on the little prince as he arrived at Mrs. Mynors' Nursery School shortly after 9:30 in the morning, a far cry from how his son, George, discreetly started his first day.

Back then William, who was wore a striped sweater, red shorts and red shoes, was forced to face dozens of reporters and photographers as he walked toward his nursery school.

The adorable little boy was greeted by the headmistress, who knelt down to take his hand.

On his first day of school, William, who was just over three-years-old, was placed into one of the three groups of children – the cygnets. The other two groups were called the little swans and big swans.

The three-year-old attended Mrs. Mynors' Nursery School in London.

It was the first time that a member of the Royal Family had attended a nursery outside the confines of Buckingham Palace, and it's said that his mother had some influence over which school he should attend.

Diana herself was a nursery assistant at the Young England Kindergarten school in Pimlico, a nursery that uses
the Montessori method. So it was no surprise that she wanted her son to be schooled in the same way – a teaching method that balances work and play and encourages children to develop at their own rate.

More than 100 pairs of eyes were on William.

Two hours after the morning session, William was picked up and taken home. Head teacher Mrs. Mynor said her new student "liked it" and it seems the little prince did. As he left, he showed photographers a finger puppet of a mouse he had made all by himself.

The tradition to be schooled the Montessori way has passed down and more than 30 years later, Prince George is attending the Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk.

"He liked it," head teacher Mrs. Mynor said.

Unlike his dad, William, George started his first day of nursery discreetly. His parents have made no secret of their desire to give their son a normal upbringing.

No media were invited to attend; the duke and duchess dropped off their son by themselves and it was keen shutterbug Kate who took photographs of George outside the nursery.

Prince George started his first day in complete privacy with no media in attendance.

The couple decided to wait until George had come home from his first day to notify the press, so that they could celebrate their son's milestone in private.

A royal source told
HELLO! magazine: "He's going to be attending part-time for a handful of hours per day. Both the duke and duchess dropped him off today and it seems all went well."

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